Southern California -- this just in

Two great white sharks caught off Manhattan Beach Pier

Two juvenile great white sharks were released after being caught off the Manhattan Beach Pier, officials said.

Because the great white is a protected species, the sharks were cut loose and released Tuesday, KTLA-TV reported.

An abundance of squid in the area might be attracting the sharks, said Eric Martin, director of the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium.

Just last month, a great white shark estimated to be about 8 to 9 feet was accidentally hooked by an angler fishing for bat rays off the Manhattan Beach Pier.
Martin was called over to cut the shark loose.

Then the shark swam right under an unaware swimmer, who was not harmed.
Experts say there have been more great white sightings in Southern California now that they're federally protected.

Despite the uptick, a recent estimate found there are fewer than 350 adult great whites off the West Coast.